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Howell ends 11-year title drought to deny record-breaking Rodgers

Charles Howell III finally ended his 11-year PGA Tour title drought after Patrick Rodgers made history to force an RSM Classic play-off on Sunday.

Howell held a one-shot advantage going into the final round at Sea Island Golf Club, but fellow American Rodgers set a new Tour record for the final two rounds to prolong the tournament.

Rodgers rocketed himself into contention with a 61 on Saturday and a closing eight-under 62 put him level with Howell – at the top of the leaderboard after each of the first three rounds – on 19 under.

Howell, who held a five-shot advantage during his third round, birdied three of the last four holes to sign for a three-under 67 after dropping a shot at the first and double-bogeying the second in Georgia.

The 39-year-old came agonisingly close to avoiding a play-off when a birdie putt from the edge of the green curled just past the hole and he missed another from 18 feet to win it at the first extra hole.

A third trip of the day down 18 for the compatriots settled it, Howell this time holding his nerve to sink a 12-foot birdie putt and claim his first Tour victory for 4,292 days.